Ever since their debut in Black Panther #1 from 1998 (by writer Christopher Priest and artist Mark Texeira) and their first worldwide silver screen appearance in Captain America: Civil War, the Dora Milaje have captivated readers and viewers everywhere.
Wakanda’s elite, all-female guard fighting force further became ingrained in pop culture through the displays of their fighting prowess in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
And as popular as these characters are, there was previously no substantial history of the elite honor guard. Karama Horne’s Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda-A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje looks to rectify this omission in her thorough and entertaining guide.
The in-world history and training manual delves into the secret society of women warriors, covering everything from recruitment, initiation rituals, training, ethos, and battle techniques and weapons. Each chapter is told by a prominent member of the order such as Mistress Zola, General Okoye, Ayo, Aneka and M’yra, as well as Princess Shuri and Queen Mother Ramonda. Horne gives each characters their own voice and expertise, further highlighting the in-world aspects of the text.
Horne also does a fine job of juggling and arranging Marvel’s history of Wakanda, The Black Panthers, and Dora Milaje, which is no easy task when you working with nearly 60 years of back story. Special attention is paid to recent contributions by Priest, Reggie Hudlin, Ta-Nahesi Coates, and Jason Aaron, which is sure to please long time and current Marvel Comics readers.
The depth of knowledge provided in the text will surely help inspire future readers, writers, and artists, as the next generation continues to add to the legacy started by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby back in 1966.
Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda-A History and Training Manual of the Dora Milaje (from Marvel, Epic Ink, and the Quatro Group) is currently available in finer comic shops and book stores everywhere.
